Mary Elizabeth Byers

Mary Elizabeth Constantino Evans Byers born August 28, 1934 in Dunkirk, NY to Louise Jane Fyffe Constantino and Joseph Orville Constantino (later changed to Evans).

She was taken home to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 9, 2026 in Ovilla, Texas.

She married Ray Wendell Byers on February 6, 1954 in Dallas, Texas at Grace Temple Baptist Church where she and Ray were members for approximately 28 years. In 1977, they moved from Oak Cliff to Ovilla and joined Ovilla Road Baptist Church where they served and attended for the remainder of their lives. However, in the last few years, Mary attended faithfully at Bear Creek Baptist Church returning to the teaching of the faithful and dear Pastor Nick Harris and his wife Carol, whom she and Ray loved so much.

Ray was a long-distance truck driver and made a wonderful living for his family. However, this left Mary home quite often alone to raise their 4 children. To say she was a hard worker would be an understatement. She thrived on gardening and landscaping, sculpting her 5-acre yard to rival any professionally-designed home garden.

She had no concept of the words "I Can't", or "You Can't". That would only motivate her to prove that she could do anything she set her mind to. As children she created for us a backyard haven in the 1960's. She dug out and created a concrete Gold Fish Pond in our backyard where we spent many times throughout the day observing tadpoles, frogs and all sorts of creatures. We had no need of television because she taught us to observe and participate in the small things of life on this Earth that God created.

She was not only creative, but innovative. For a swimming pool, she once again dug a deep hole in the yard and placed a round water trough in the ground for us to play and cool off in. Play-time in our back yard was magical in our eyes.

Mary had a very tender heart for neighborhood children who did not attend church, so she took it upon herself to be a witness and bring as many children to church as possible. She subsequently lead several children to the Lord, including a few that went on to serve the Lord in missions and ministry.

Throughout her life she had a passion and drive to be a witness for Jesus Christ. She boldly placed large magnetic signs on the tailgate of her truck that she drove around town in. A lot of people saw and read the Gospel while sitting behind her at stoplights. She was never without Christian tracts to hand out or leave in waiting rooms or other common areas where one might find it.

Mary had a servant's heart. She was always helping out our elderly lady neighbors with things like giving perms in their hair or helping them care for their yard. She spent several years going

to the nursing home to take care of her pastor's wife from her childhood by giving manicures and making sure she knew she was cared for with dignity.

Mary was an astute business woman, owning several properties throughout her life. She intuitively knew how to build and invest.

She was an amazing wife, mother, and friend. She had strong convictions and the moxie to stand up for what she believed in.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Ray Byers, a daughter, Virginia Mary Byers, and her siblings, Frank Evans and his wife Loretta Evans, Paul Evans, and Joseph Evans. She is also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Kendal Allen, her daughter Lisa’s husband.

She is survived by her brother, Timothy Evans and his wife Viola Evans of Pueblo, Colorado and by her four children, Larry Byers and his wife Sherri Byers of DeSoto, Texas, David Byers and his wife Donna Byers of Ovilla, Texas, her daughter Lisa Byers Allen of Ovilla, Texas, and her son Jonathan Byers and his wife Leann Byers of Ovilla, Texas.

She leaves behind twelve grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.

She was dearly loved and honored by all. We have no doubt that when she saw Jesus face-to-face, He welcomed her with, "Well done, my good and faithful servant". She finished her race well.

Among some of the most important Bible verses to her was Romans 8:28: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

2 Corinthians 5:6-8, "So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord."

Romans 8:18 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

Our precious mother will be deeply missed until we see her again but leaves a legacy that will endure.

Celebration of Life Saturday August 22, 2026, 11:00 A.M. Bear Creek Baptist Church 1810 S. Hampton Rd. Glenn Heights, Tx.